Scientific Fidelity Tesla. Still my favorite sounding speaker, too, after auditioning B&W, Martin Logan, PSB Synchrony One, Von Schweikert, and several others in my listening room.
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+1 @tablejockey
Not only do these speakers sound fantastic, their wide front makes them behave more like a panel speaker, but with the dynamic range and smooth response of dynamics. I really wish more audiophiles got to hear these speakers. I should remember to recommend them every time a reader says they have a difficult room. They are in many ways what a Snell A/III would sound like today, though the A/III still has the best room/bass coupling of any floor stander I've ever heard. |
I'm surprised nobody mentioned Tekton. Actually being sarcastic here as I've always been a more traditionalist in the way speakers look and couldn't handle having to look at some of the weirder (IMO) designs that have been posted regardless of how good they may sound. Some of my favorites would be what others mentioned, Salk for one. I like ATC, Proac, Joseph Audio, and also have a liking for some of the 70's design like JBL, AR etc. |
To each their own. I used to shake my head at the Tannoys I saw in the lobby of Upscale Audio. That wasn’t that long ago. I own some Turnberrys now. I turned a corner and now think they’re beautiful. I initially thought Oswald Mills speakers were great looking at first. The more I look, the less I like. I don’t like the plate steel support structures. They are fussy. At this price point, these elements could have been cast. That would have been more bespoke than all the fasteners you see holding it together. I’m an industrial designer so I see and understand all the ’dumb details’. I love the way Harbeths look. I think Salk has some great finishes. B&W has had some nice models but cannot stand the Nautilus. I love the classic Sonus Faber look. If I had to pick one brilliant looking speaker it would be Klipsch La Scala. I love the ’everything horn’ approach. Very pure concept. "The details are not the details. They make the design"-Charles Eames |
erik_squires- One of the reasons I like the Stradavari is they remind me of my Rogersound Labs Speedscreens from 1987. Made in Northridge Ca. They were my first "real" hifi speaker. They certainlydidn't sound anything close to the Sradavari, but a cool speaker for $750.00 to go with the Technics "rack." They took up closet space for 20 years till I got rid of them. Not bad sounding when hooked up to decent gear.
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The minataur looks interesting, doubt I could afford them. Other artful designs also. Might have to buy 7 more amplifiers. https://audiovisualart.com/collection/minotaur/ |
Another one here for Daedalus Audio. One reason I have a pair of their Apollo 11 on order (due to ship in about 6 to 8 weeks) is how stunningly beautiful they are. The other reason is how stunningly beautiful they sound. As bespoke build, my choice of cabinet wood and woods for the inlays, my set will be unique to me. And again, the sound quality is just incredible. And a very easy load for tube amplifiers, a nice bonus. For production speakers on the market, I find that Sonus Faber are gorgeous and can fit into nearly any decor/home. And they sound wonderful, too. |
@vassilis_t Lovely Art Deco styling. |
OMA speakers have been mentioned. An appealing and essential aspect about their looks, from my point of view, is that it follows function first (as something that more readily accommodates physics), and then the aesthetic "touch" has been added to or incorporated around the specific and acoustically dictated design choices later (it goes to show in an audiophile environment that’s mostly about working around a smaller, typically slender physical frame (form) to then, conversely, dictate function). Hardwoods that are oiled or lightly varnished (and not lacquered to death) are exquisite looking and smelling, not to mention how it feels: natural. Any speaker really that’s an explicit and unapologetic expression of function is interesting looking to my eyes, even when, or perhaps precisely because it’s not aestheticized into something domestically pleasing and convenient or otherwise watered down physically; you know just by looking at it that it means sonic business - honestly so. If then it should take on the appearance of (sculptural) furniture with wood that actually looks, feels and smells like wood, that’s only a bonus. |
I said I liked the sound of Snell A/IIIs, not the looks! I mean, honestly they were fine, certainly needed that grill, but not particularly gorgeous to look at. They were more like plain looking boxes that sounded amazing. If the sound wasn't spectacular from them it would be hard to justify the floor space. Also from a bygone age when putting speakers up against the wall was experimented with and, to me, too soon forgotten. |
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Funny. I met a woman on line, over a decade ago. Took her to lunch. Had a great time. Invited her over for our second date. My system is front and center, as soon as you walk into the room 21 x 36 x 12 (open beam ceilings). As soon as she walked in the door she looked around and said "this house is decorated for a man". That was our last date. I probably told her we weren't going to get along, and asked her to leave. Pitty, she had great legs, too |
